A Halloween carnival theme and street entertainment including buskers, face painting and a stilt walker will celebrate the launch of Crewkerne’s new,weekly Wednesday market.
Starting Wednesday 30 October (9am – 1pm) the market will have a new home in the Market Square next to the Town Hall, with plenty of space for a variety of stalls including fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, bread, cakes, tools and craft items.
After being displaced from the South Street Car Park when Waitrose was built, the street market struggled to survive and declined to just one stall.
Knowing how important Crewkerne’s residents and traders felt a market was for the town, Zoe Harris, SSDC Neighbourhood Development Officer (Area West) has worked with Crewkerne Town Council to secure the new, prominent location which offers room for a number of stalls and space for shoppers to browse safely without the worry of passing traffic.
Zoe carried out a street survey to find out what people wanted from a town market and the most popular requests were for fresh produce and local crafts.
As well as a new location, the market also has new management – this has been passed to Crewkerne Town Council by South Somerset District Council.
Councillor Mike Best, SSDC Chairman and ward member for Crewkerne Town said: – “The new market is a great opportunity for the town, providing a boost for traders and an enjoyable shopping experience for locals and visitors. I hope people will turn out to celebrate the market on 30 October and make good use of it long-term.”
SSDC Councillor Angie Singleton, ward member for Crewkerne Town and chairman of the Town Council Amenities Committee, added: – “Having a regular weekly market back in the heart of the town will be invigorating for the town’s economy and sense of community. It’s wonderful that we have been able to re-establish this and that the Town Council now has long-term responsibility for its management”.